Watch the Northern Lights in Alaska.

The largest and least-populated state, Alaska is home to glaciers, the nation’s highest peak (Denali, formerly Mt. McKinley) and the massive Denali National Park. But Alaska is also one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. The colorful bands of dancing light are best viewed in spring and fall when there’s less daylight hours.

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Explore art museums in Paris.

Create an appreciation for art early, by taking the kids to the Louvre, one of the largest museums in the world (there’s plenty more besides the famed Mona Lisa). Plus, while in Paris, you can spend hours in the Musée d’Orsay, a stunning former train station dating back to the 1900s where your kids can see all the masters—Renoir, Pissarro, Gauguin, Monet, and Van Gogh. Don't leave the city without visiting the Musée Rodin to see The Thinker.

Take an architecture tour of Chicago.

The Windy City has some of the most stunning architecture in the world. Join the Chicago Architecture Foundation on a tour of the top sites including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Water Tower, Sears (Willis) Tower, Wrigley Building, Chicago Theatre, John Hancock Center, and the legendary houses of Frank Lloyd Wright. Then, indulge in a Chicago favorite, deep dish pizza at Giordano.

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Horseback ride on a dude ranch in Colorado.

Few family bonding experiences can match spending a week on a horse in the Old West (no previous experience required). For a super family-friendly ranch, check out Drowsy Water. Nestled in its own private mountain valley, the 600-acre ranch focuses on kids. Families work with experienced wranglers starting with short practice rides and building up to full-day backcountry experiences. The ranch also offers hiking, archery, rafting, lassoing, trout fishing, square dancing, hayrides, cattle work, rodeos, and rafting trips.

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Meet Mickey and his crew at Walt Disney World.

One of the most visited attractions in the world, this Orlando mega-complex includes four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom); two water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Bleach); a plethora of Disney-branded accommodations; and shopping and restaurants at Disney Springs. Be sure to download the official Disney app for wait times and maps.

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Drive a quad bike around Easter Island's stone megaliths.

Located off the coast of Chile, Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it’s more commonly known, is an archaeological marvel with over 900 monumental statues—called moai—dotting the island. The huge figures with oversize heads are scattered through this volcanic island and are best explored on a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle.

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Travel to the nation's capital.

Touring the White House and Capitol Hill, visiting the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials, exploring the massive Smithsonian complex: An educational trip to D.C. is a must. Tip: Pick a hotel that’s walking distance to everything, especially if you have younger kids. A good bet is the Willard Intercontinental just blocks from the White House and National Mall.

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Ride a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

One of the most visited national parks in the country, the Grand Canyon is a sight to behold. It’s 6,000 feet at its deepest point and 18 miles at its widest. The best (and most fun) way to see it is by taking a mule ride to the very bottom, and sleeping overnight in the canyon at the Phantom Ranch. If you're tacking the landmark onto a longer road trip, the mules also do rim trails, which afford amazing views.

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Cruise the Galápagos.

One of the best wildlife viewing experiences in the world can be had at the Gálapagos islands. This volcanic archipelago made famous by Charles Darwin is home to blue-footed boobies, giant 100-year-old tortoises, and Christmas iguanas (so named for their festive coloring). Ecoventura cruises takes kids ages seven and up, and the small boat size ensures plenty of special attention for your family.

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Walk along the Great Wall of China.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site extends over 13,000 miles and is over 2,000 years old. Today, most people visit a section 90 minutes from Beijing called Mutianyu, which is the most accessible if you’re traveling with kids. While in China, make sure to visit Tiananmen Square in the evening, where families come out to fly kites.

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See the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

Contrary to what you may think, New York City is great for kids. Get the CityPASS and explore all the top attractions including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Be sure to take a Circle Line sightseeing cruise to view all five boroughs in one trip—plus you’ll get the best view of the skyline.

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Visit an active volcano in Hawaii.

Take your kids to one of the most active volcanoes on earth, Kilauea Volcano, part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Hawaii is host to over seven ecosystems on a single island, so you can hike over the volcanic crater, scalded deserts, and lush rainforests—all in one trip. Be sure to check out the petroglyphs and walk-in lava tube.

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Hike the Inca Trail in Machu Picchu.

The lost city of Machu Picchu, located high up in Peru's Andes Mountains, can be reached by train, but the real fun is hiking the Inca Trail. You’ll trek through a cloud forest and camp in the mountains on this classic four-day hike before reaching Machu Picchu at sunrise on the last day.

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Sleep in a castle in Ireland.

The Emerald Isle is full of castles dotting its countryside, many of which have been converted into accommodations. Dromoland Castle in County Clare is especially good for kids given the wide range of activities available, including fishing, archery, horseback riding, and falconry. If you don’t want to do an overnight at a castle, then head to the Blarney Castle for the day to see the world-famous Blarney Stone.

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Swim with the manatees in Mexico.

Animal interactions are always great for kids, but there are only a few places in the world where you can swim with the manatees. Swimming alongside these magnificent creatures is a great way to focus a trip on conservation and education. At Dolphin Discovery, your family can swim with the manatees, dolphins, and sea lions. You can also take a catamaran to the second largest reef in the world, where you can snorkel with thousands of colorful fish and coral.

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Watch the sunrise over Mount Rushmore.

Your kids will love seeing this massive mountainside carving in South Dakota featuring the faces of all those presidents they've learned about in school. At sunrise, the faces get a soft orange cast, perfect for burgeoning photographers. Be sure to walk the half-mile Presidential Trail to get an up-close view.